. >> we want to introduce you to first-time author helen raleigh. her book is called the broken welcome mat. when did you come to the united states? >> guest: i came to the united states in 1996 as a graduate school student from mainland china. >> when did you become a us citizen? >> guest: 2013. >> host: when did you begin the process? >> guest: the day after i arrived as a student i want to stay in the united states. 17 years to jump through the legal hoops, to become a naturalized us citizen. >> host: what were the hoops you had to jump through? >> guest: legal status. our immigration law is stacked against the people, the immigration law, a family preference, because i don't have a family here, i need to maintain my student status and employer, that is the only way to be a legal resident through employment. i got a job offer from citibank and working for several fortune 500 companies maintaining my work visa and eventually daimlerchrysler waiting to sponsor me with a work visa but because of the supply of the visa it is less and the demand so i